French Rafale jets offered to Canada, Portugal amid F‑35 tensions
The French company Dassault Aviation offers Canada and Portugal Rafale jets as an alternative to American F-35s. We present the performance of these European machines.
The French company Dassault Aviation is ready to offer its Rafale fighters to countries that have halted the purchase of F-35A. Dassault Aviation’s CEO Éric Trappier, in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, expressed the company's willingness to cooperate with countries that have opted out of the American machines.
The offensive of the French defense industry
Trappier noted that although Portugal has not yet approached France about the purchase, it is possible that such a request will appear in the coming weeks or months. "But we really want to offer our aircraft to Portugal, an EU and NATO country. It would have the same interoperability capabilities as we do within the Alliance, so it seems logical," he said.
This initiative is part of a broader push by the French defense industry, set against the backdrop of tensions caused by the current American administration of Donald Trump. The effort is strongly supported by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
Rafale — Europe's multi-role machine
The Rafale is a multi-role fighter jet produced by the French company Dassault Aviation. It is currently one of the most advanced combat machines in the world. The Rafale can perform a variety of tasks such as gaining air superiority and attacking land or naval targets. It is also capable of conducting a nuclear strike.
Development of this aircraft began in the 1980s, with the prototype's first flight occurring in 1986. The fighter entered service in 2001 and is available in three variants: the single-seat Rafale C, the two-seat Rafale B, and the carrier-based Rafale M.
The aircraft is notable for its ability to carry over 20,000 pounds of armament. This includes long-range air-to-air Meteor missiles, short/medium-range air-to-air MICA missiles, anti-ship AM 39-Exocet missiles, Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, guided bombs such as AASM Hammer, and ASMP-A with a thermonuclear warhead.
